The 26-year-old world number 100 overpowered the Spaniard with an inspired display of power and accuracy on Centre Court.

“I never expected something like this,” Rosol said after the match which finished shortly after 10pm.

“It is a miracle for me… there are so many emotions. He is a superstar but I played unbelievable today.

“I hope I can play one more match like this. I am happy and congratulations to Rafa. He played a good match but I was better.

“I am very sorry for him [Nadal] but I played my best match ever. It means so much for me.”

Second seed Nadal, who was first crowned Wimbledon champion in 2008 and won again in 2010, arrived in London in good form after sealing his seventh French Open title earlier this month.

His shock exit could be good news for Andy Murray, Britain’s world number four, who was seeded to meet the Spaniard in the semi-finals. Murray beat Ivo Karlovic in four sets earlier on Thursday.

Who is Lukas Rosol?

From the city of Brno in the Czech Republic, Lukas Rosol first played tennis at the age of six and turned pro in 2004. He has a sister and a brother and now lives and trains in Prerov, in the historic Moravia region.

His coach is Slava Dosedel, a former top 30 player who in 1999 reached the quarter-finals of the US Open.

Rosol, who is competing in the main Wimbledon draw for the first time, had previously lost in the first round of qualifying for the last five years.

His appearance at Queen’s Club, also in London this month, was the first time that he had even played a grass tournament on the ATP tour.

A powerful right-hander, the 26-year-old uses two hands to hit both forehands and backhands.

He plays in the Czech Republic’s Davis Cup team, which reached the world group semi-finals this year.

Before now his best singles result was a third round appearance at the French Open in 2011 on his favoured surface, clay, but his successes have come more often in doubles than singles tennis.

That all changes now. In the next round, Rosol faces Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, perhaps at last as the favourite.